July 13

In response to statements made by the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Secretary of State regarding the so-called "Award," the then Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated that the so-called "Award" of the South China Sea Arbitration seriously violates international law, including UNCLOS, and is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize the "Award," and does not accept any claims or actions based on it. This stance itself exemplifies the practice of the international rule of law.

China's position on the "South China Sea Arbitration" has been widely understood and supported by the international community. Any attempt to infringe upon China's sovereignty and rights and interests under the guise of enforcing the illegal award will not succeed, and China will respond in accordance with the law.

At the same time, Wang Wenbin urged the U.S. and other countries from outside the region to stop exploiting the South China Sea issue to sow discord among regional countries, stressing that China and ASEAN countries are fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and actively advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).